The Mighty Vandals- Miami, Az  1951

The kids from Miami, Az have a long and storied sports history and none more so than the DREAM TEAM of 1951 coached by Ernie Kivisto.

Their story has been told by Christine Marin of Arizona State University.
Entitled: Courting Success and Realizing the American Dream: Arizona's Mighty Miami High School Championship Basketball Team, 1951

And Sonny Pena, who compiled a book of all the news clippings from that heady season which saw scores above the 100 mark and many State Records.
"The Mghty Miami Vandals" by Wilfred "Sonny" Gomez Pena is available at the miami Public Library and through the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues.

Recently the Dream Team of '51 has been made into a play by James E. Garcia and his New Carpa Theater Co.  Entitled "The Mighty Vandals"
 
The play was performed this September at the Hersberger Theater Company in Phoenix and a full length production is scheduled to premier next Fall in Miami, Az - home to many successful Vandal stories.


NOTE:  There are plans being discussed regarding bringing the PLAY to Miami this November as a fund-raiser for
the Miami Sports Hall of Fame. As details are worked out, they will be posted here.